Rheinmetall Defence Australia has begun to locally assemble the first anti-ship missile soft-kill system shipsets contracted by the Royal Australian Navy.
An unknown quantity of the Multi Ammunition Softkill (MASS) systems was ordered by the navy in 2023 for 125 million euros ($136 million).
They will be integrated into Hobart-class destroyers and ANZAC-class frigates, with an option of wider deployment across the naval fleet for around 1 billion Australian dollars ($629 million).
Delivery began at the end of 2023 and full operational capability is scheduled by 2027.
“This is the Group’s single-biggest order ever for ship protection technology and could potentially grow to equip Australia’s entire fleet,” Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Nathan Poyner said.
“Rheinmetall Defence Australia assembles the systems in Australia, before installing and commissioning them on-board the Navy’s seagoing surface combatants.”
Multi Ammunition Softkill System
The MASS system is an off-board countermeasure system that launches decoy targets to mislead an incoming missile into missing its target.
The decoy targets are sent autonomously by the system after analyzing wind, the ship’s navigation data, and the threat’s characteristics.
MASS comprises up to six launchers, each capable of launching up to 32 Omni Trap decoy munitions.
It is capable of deceiving modern, sensor-guided anti-ship missiles in both high seas and coastal areas and can be installed on any type of ship.
The system operates either in stand-alone mode or integrated with the ship’s command and control and weapons engagement systems.
Generating Local Jobs
The order has helped create additional job opportunities in Brisbane, Australia.
“The Australian MASS contract has secured more than 30 new jobs at MILVEHCOE (Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, Brisbane) for the shipsets,” Poyner added.
“While the contract end date is 2027, Rheinmetall Defence Australia is responsible for the sustainment of these countermeasure units beyond that time.”
